§ On the Vote of 50,000l, on account, towards defraying the charge for Ambassadors and Consular establishments abroad being proposed,
§ MR. HUMEsaid, that he would take that opportunity of calling upon Her Majesty's Government to consider the strange state of Europe. It was the custom, he believed, that when a Minister was sent to the Court of this country, a Minister of corresponding rank and allowance was sent to the Court from whence he came; but he now understood that at present half the Ministers representing Courts abroad were only of the second or third ranks, while those sent from this country were of superior rank. He did not rise to go into the subject then, but he believed a reduction of one-half this charge might be made with advantage. He threw out this as a suggestion by which the Government might reduce the public expenditure.
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLthought it was rather too early to say what changes should be made in our consular establishments, in consequence of what had occurred on the Continent.
§ The vote was then agreed to.
§ A Vote of 50,000l., on account, was agreed to towards defraying the charge for civil contingencies.
§ The House then resumed.
§ Resolutions to be reported To-morrow.